Iran Travel and Transport

Travelling around Iran

Buses

Buses are how everyone gets around and are dirt cheap – the entire 2000km of the country can be crossed for about $30 direct. Iran has huge oil reserves so petrol for them is about as expensive as Coca-Cola, if they were to sell the juice of Satan within the country.

The great thing about travelling around by bus in Iran is that you’re always crossing enormous deserts. These aren’t the beautiful sand dunes of the movies but rather flat, dead landscapes where, apart from the odd mouse, there’s nothing living between you and any of the horizons. As your bus negotiates these vast desert plains you find yourself praying that nothing goes wrong with the engine – easy to see how a god-fearing religion like Islam sprung up in this kind of terrain.

The only other difficulty the traveler faces is to work out how to open all the varieties of seeds and nuts endless poured upon him by the other passengers, eager to welcome a foreigner in their country.

Flights

Flights are cheap within Iran as petrol is so plentiful but unless you’re in a hurry it would be a shame to miss all the deserts of the bus journeys.

Hitchhiking

With buses in Iran so cheap there’s precious little understanding of what hitchhiking is. It’s definitely possible but it will take some explaining until they understand what you’re trying to do. Make sure you carry plenty of water with you.

Local Transport in Iran

Buses

Buses in Iranian cities are like anywhere else but with the added challenge that Iran has a different system of numbering than the rest of the world. Really. Okay, it’s easy to learn but can throw you the first time. It can also be a struggle to find someone who speaks enough English to help you know when to get off.

Taxis

You have the usual private taxis who may well take advantage of the traveler who has no idea what prices are worth. There are also the shared taxis though that follow set routes within the city. You’re unlikely to take one of these alone, more likely you’ll catch on with an Iranian friend; the technique is to hail the taxis as they pass along and beg them to stop for you. If they deign to let you in there may be a series of musical chairs as any woman in the taxi will have to move to the front seat to avoid compromising her modesty. As you get on your way you’ll then receive a lecture from the driver for closing his door too hard. Fortunately, few travelers understand Farsi…

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